Dining News, Feb. 21

Feb. 20, 2013

Explore Victorian dining with meal at Flynn mansion

Explore high Victorian dining with an evening meal in the Flynn mansion at Living History Farms. Experience the serving culture and specialty courses which made up an elegant dinner party in the past.

You will be waited on by servants in proper 1870s period clothing. The dinner host will share stories of Des Moines society and Victorian entertaining as guests enjoy nine courses presented in 19th-century style.

Taste some of the unique staples of a Victorian meal, such as bacon-wrapped oysters, mock turtle soup and beef a la mode. After dinner, retire to the library for coffee and an intimate look at the historic Italianate-style home built in 1870. Dates for the Victorian dinner are March 7-9 and March 14-16.

Iowa Beef Steakhouse owner keeps business open

Henry Schneider just couldn’t do it. The owner of one of the metro’s longtime restaurants, Iowa Beef Steakhouse, said customers and employees helped convince him to bag retirement for now and keep the popular eatery open.

Schneider said in late December that the business would close at the end of February if he didn’t sell it before that. The building’s owners had put the 6,240-square-foot building up for sale, and Schneider decided it was time for him to go.

However, he has negotiated a new two-year lease with the building owner. In 2003, Money magazine named Iowa Beef Steakhouse one of the best American steakhouses. 1201 E. Euclid Ave., 262-1138

Mexican spot relocates

Gustavo Perez has relocated his La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant to 111 Army Post Road, back to the space where the restaurant started in 2001.

La Hacienda had been located down the street at 900 E. Army Post Road for about five years. The now-empty space will become La Hacienda Events Center. The events center will accommodate about 600 people and will be available for weddings, banquets, quinceaneras and other events. People leasing the hall can bring in food or La Hacienda will cater events. Call La Hacienda on Army Post at 515-256-8901 or the events center at 515-779-8464.

Gas Lamp adds food

According to the Gas Lamp’s Facebook page, it “is taking the next step into the amazing, sometimes baffling culinary world of ex-Denver chef and former pro inline skater Zachary Gutweiler.”

Food service will begin Tuesday. A sample “Hole in the Wall” menu on the page lists local gumbo with fried chicken skin, mac and cheese and riblets among other things. The menu also touts “locally sourced food” which is “organically driven.” Food will be served Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights; the most expensive dish is $7. 1501 Grand Ave. 515-280-3778

Which fork is for salad?

The Young Professionals Connection (YPC) of Des Moines has partnered with Dardis Communications to host a gourmet etiquette dinner for area young profess­ionals at the Iowa Culinary Institute. The event will feature a six-course gourmet dinner and help attendees polish their dining skills in a fun and comfortable way.

Tyson Greiner, vice president at Dardis Communications, will be the featured speaker. The evening will include dinner, networking and instruction on place set­tings, wine essentials, toasts and business entertaining. The event is 6:30 p.m. Wed­nesday at the Iowa Culinary Institute on the DMACC Ankeny campus. The cost is $35 for YPC members and $40 for nonmembers. Register by Friday at www.ypcdsm.com.